Recruiting: Seattle playmaker a sleeper no more

BARRY BOLTON

05/04/2005

QUARTERBACK, DEFENSIVE BACK, PUNTER, ATHLETE. Put just about any football task in front of Jeffrey Solomon and he'll deliver. The Seattle native is appearing on more recruiting radar screen since his tape went out. His prep coach says he's one of the top football athletes in the state and has the leadership, work ethic and character to match.

Washington State and Washington are spending more time on homegrown talent with the 2006 state class deeper than last year's crop. Still, Ingraham High head man Anthony Williams says most schools have yet to see Solomon play in person since he performed on a 3-7 team his junior year. Ingraham also doesn't get as much publicity as some of the other area teams.

Solomon (6-1, 185) lines up for Ingraham at quarterback, wide receiver, running back, defensive back, you name it. A special teams return threat -- he's also a highly skilled punter to boot.

"I can't say enough about this kid," said Williams. "He'll punt the ball between the 5-yard line and the end zone. He's one of those guys who does everything -- that no one else does. He's the hardest worker."

Williams said besides his sterling athleticism, its Solomon's football smarts, work ethic and can-do attitude that will serve him well at the next level, and in life.

"He's special to me because he's started since he was a freshman and played wherever I've needed him to, without any qualms whatsoever," said Williams. "And now he's come into his size...Jeffrey is one of those guys that takes initiative. He doesn't sit on his hands and wait for things to get done. He's always the smartest kid on the field."

WILLIAMS IS FIELDING more calls on Solomon these days since his tape went out. UW, WSU, Boise State and Oregon State have all come by the school to see the coach and talk about Solomon, WR Myron Beck and DE Mondala Green. We'll be profiling them, as well as sleeper MLB Michael Collins, later on CF.C

In addition to those four schools, Solomon is hearing from Eastern Washington, Idaho, Illinois, Utah and Texas. Solomon said the Huskies are recruiting the hardest right now and the UW is his leader, but slightly and he noted that it's still early. He has yet to receive his first offer as of yet but that could change in the very near future, especially when schools get the chance to see him live at their camp.

Future plans include the Washington camp, NIKE combine in Eugene, Oregon State's half day camp and the Barton's QB and skill positions camp. After attending the Washington State junior day, he hopes to also be able to make it over for the WSU day camp and the camp at Idaho.

"I liked how the coaches ran things," Solomon said of his WSU junior day experience. "I got to talk to the coaches personally. Coaches (Bill) Doba and (Timm) Rosenbach came over and we had a good conversation. They seem like cool guys."

SCHOOLS ARE MOSTLY recruiting Solomon as an athlete and being the consummate team player he is, Solomon will play anywhere, anytime. He does think, however, his most effective position might be quarterback, making plays with his legs as well as his arm. Its one of the reasons he made a connection with UW coach Ty Willingham while at the Huskies junior day.

"That was good too," said Solomon. "My first impression of coach Willingham was very good, he seems like a straight-to-the-point kind of guy. That's why my interest in UW is pretty high too since my first impression of him is that he would be pretty fair, a good coach -- because he played quarterback and he was undersized too."

Solomon said all the schools look to offer a good education so a coaching staff is what he's looking at right now. In a position coach, Solomon hopes to play for someone who can help make him a better football player, but also someone he can have a solid relationship with off the gridiron -- one that would continue after his collegiate playing days are over.

"If I can learn a lot and also win at the same time, that would be ideal," said Solomon.

Ingraham High stats:JR. year, 1790 yards passing, with 15 TDs. Defensively, had 51 tackles (37 solo) 1 INTSO. year, 1850 yards passing, 17 TDs. Solomon was first team all-Metro at quarterback as a sophomore and in both years, was top ten in the state in passing.